Diffuse Alopecia: Clinical, Trichoscopic, Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Challenges in the Diagnosis

Abstract

Abstract Background Diffuse alopecia is characterized by a general loss of hair with no patches of full baldness. In dermatology, diffuse hair loss, particularly in women, is a common complaint. Common illnesses such as telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, and widespread alopecia areata can be difficult to distinguish. The clinical signs of these three types of alopecia may be identical. Aim of Work The current study aimed to study the clinical, trichoscopic findings, histopathological in patients with acute diffuse hair shedding: female pattern hair loss (FPHL), acute telogen effluvium (TE) and alopecia areata incognita (AAI). Immunohistochemistry analysis for CD3 was done for differentiation and detection of the prognostic values of these markers. Subjects and methods: The study included 40 patients with acute diffuse hair shedding within the last 6 months with the diagnoses of AAI, TE, FPHL. All patients were subjected to full history recording, general and local examination. Hair evaluation was performed through trichoscopic assessment and punch scalp biopsy that was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical analysis for CD3. Results Trichoscopic assessment of studied patients revealed that hair diameter diversity was significantly presented in FPHL patients. Number of thin hairs in frontal area, number of hair units with one hair, and vellus hairs were significantly presented in FPHL and TE+ FPHL patients compared to TE patients. Short regrowing hair was significantly presented in TE patients and TE +FPHL patients compared to FPHL patients. Peripilar sign and empty hair follicles in frontal area were significantly presented in FPHL patients. Multiple upright regrowing hair in all areas was significantly presented in TE+ FPHL patients. Conclusion FPH and TE represents common types of hair loss disease, each with specific trichoscopic and histochemical findings.